Do you believe Obama deserves the Nobel Peace Prize that he recently received? He will also receive over a million dollars (which, in all likelihood, he will donate to charity) but more than the money it is the social presitge that's important. The decision is made based on the personal views of five judges. Their decision has generated a lot of controversy - mainly because it is believed that Obama hasn't done anything concrete to deserve it. It would seem they've given the award to him for his vision and to strengthen his hand in anticipation of what he intends to do in the future. Do you agree with their choice?Click here to watch two opposing views : Nobel Peace Prize
26 comments:
In almost every newspaper after he received the prize, there were "open to comment" articles about whether he deserved the prize.
I personally think it came in far too early. Granted, he's a symbol of hope, equality and maybe even peace. During the elections, I was personally hoping he would win. But not because I was a fan of his, simply because McCain was a cardboard copy of Bush's mentality. So basically, Obama was the lesser of two evils, which, when you think about it, is quite sad actually.
His speeches are all so optimistic, some of then even have a hint of realism in them. But we have not yet seem him put his actions where his mouth is. I'm not saying he never will actually fulfill his promises; I realize being president , especially after Bush, must be an indescribable burden. I hope he will fulfill his promises. But that doesn't deny the fact that so far, all he's done is begin to repair the international relationships that Bush had savaged.
Bottom line: He would not have been my choice for a Nobel prize (not that I'm qualified to nominate people), but I believe judges should've waited a couple of years maybe till he'd actually done something "concrete" deserving of a prize of that prestige and standard.
I think they should have waited a bit longer seeing as Obama, being the optimist and the 'symbol of hope', hasn't DONE anything to actually deserve the award, especially one of this high standard and honour. Also mentioned in the video that Obama hasn't even had a proper handshake agreement, which reinforces the astonishment felt by those who believe he was not deserving of this award. I believe the judges should have put a lot more thought into deciding whether or not to give him the award, or at least waited until he'd actually DONE something which could have helped them in their decision.
I'm not against Obama in the least, but I do believe it wasn't really fair to give it to someone who was just promising a better world on not acting on it yet. I'm sure there are more deserving people out there. Obama's term as president has just begun; it's too early to deem him "Savior of Mankind", just like it's to early to dub him as being the devil's spawn.
It wasn't a bad nomination, but it was a bad choice.
Maybe in a few years, Obama will live up to his promises, but for the time he's just another president.
I dont think he should of won the prize because in the past the nobel peace prize winners won it because they did everything in their power to make peace and they succeded mostly.On the other hand Obama just promised to do many things but hasnt managed to do it all so i dont think he deserves it YET.
Marwan Harraz 10B2
I agree with Nadine and Payam, especially McCain being a "cardboard copy" of Bush, haha that's true.
Ok, so the main points were said, that Obama shouldn't have got it so soon. But, doesn't that mean something? When the host said the most interesting question in the entire show.
Is the peace award a kind of fuel, something to keep Obama driving the car of peace?
That is the main question. At anytime, Obama can give up. Excluding the fact that Obama might be building all this tension up, so that he might create a war with another country, it comes to show that he is trying to achieve the impossible, but I just don't understand, even if it keeps him on track, handing him a blank award, for doing nothing? Even the attempt to clear nuclear weapons is already faltering, no one wants to stop once they have started, and, all this talk about Iran, assuming that they do create nuclear weapons, what will happen next? Rephrase: what do you think will happen after Iran supposedly creates a few nukes?
The inevitable will happen, of course. There will be threats, then war. So the peace prize (finding this very small to something of this scale) was given out to try and aid Obama in his lone war of peace. I truly believe its a build up, since it was rushed, and that something far larger is behind the picture of Obama, something that initiated him to get an award so soon, for only talking. If you think about it, could this have been a written stage, in Obama's career as president? Could it have been predicted, if not by Obama, by the immense power lying behind his picture?
Bush was a pawn. Is Obama?
He did not deserve the price, not yet anyway, since it was just as Nadine/Payam said, all talk and no action.
But there could be some sort of link between him and Bush. By now, we should all know that no president gets "voted" anymore, its up to the power lying behind every president's picture, so could this have been a planned stage? It is like lego, the blocks of Democritus (Philosopher), that is slowly being pieced together into a word, the word being WAR.
I strongly believe, with every ounce of power that I hold, two things in this rushed cycle.
1) Obama is serious in going for peace, it is not a hoax, and he gets assassinated in the process.
2) It is the biggest trick ever to hit the world. Obama gets Iran to stop the nukes developing, decreasing tension amongst other countries, and causing other countries to decrease their nukes, maybe even eliminate them from the world, and, while everyone is happy and drugged with hope, along comes Obama saying we won't disarm, and goes on a rampage, full open attack on targeted countries.
I, mainly, believe that point 2 is Obama's goal, but I can't be 100% sure, since his father was muslim, so he can't possibly have a vendetta against the Arabs/Muslims, not now anyway. Yet, I think it was way too early to achieve a prize, and yet I think it was a phase in whatever plan Obama has, maybe it might help, maybe it might kill us all.
Overall, he did not deserve it, not yet atleast.
I really think Obama can change USA, but he hasn't done anything as yet. Now it's only about what he is going to do. When he actually does these things, I think that he does deserve it but not now maybe later in his office years. I think a lot of people nationalise him as he represent change from all the misdoing that Bush did throughout his 8 years. I guess it takes a long time to clean up the mess he made.
I agree with most of the people here.. it's wayy too early to give him such a HUGE prize now.. yes his speeches give hope, yes he talks really well.. but let's wait for him to actually DO something before giving him awards and prizes.. infact i feel that one of the reasons he's so revered in the USA is because Bush had created such a horrible image of americans world-wide that when Obama came and changed everyone's views they were like "hoorayy! we're not the bad guys anymore". But then again, it's politics, nothing can be said. But one thing i know for sure, we should wait it out and THEN see if he should get one and THEN award him.
I dont think He should have got the award right now.He got the award for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.I saw a cartoon of Obama in a newspaper. There was the starting point of a race and he was on his marks, and the race judges were all ready on the start point giving him medals and rewards. I think they should have seen the results and then decided the actual winner.
I agree with Shweta. While as Marwan said, he has'nt mostly done anything to promote peace, and come to think of it, even racial equality, he definitely has limitless potential.
The economy is recovering in USA and that is a sign of his competance.
Even if he did'nt deserve it, it could serve as a catalyst and make him more efficient.
He is an AMAZING speaker though,
I have mixed feelings actually. On one hand, he didn't deserve the award YET, because he hasn't actually done anything yet.
But on the other hand, his efforts to actually try to bring peace to this world is amazing. I believe that this award will only make him work harder towards his goals.
And where does Mo get all this conspiracy theories from??? :P
I think that it was too early for Obama to win a Nobel Peace Prize…He talks really well and his speeches are stupefying but you DON’T win a Nobel Peace Prize for your staggering speeches.
He has not done anything significant to win the peace prize YET…..the judges should have waited to see if could actually put his words into action.
You will have to talk to me at school, if you want to know ;)
And its not a theorie, its reality.
I agree that it was too soon for Obama to win such an exclusive prize.
He has said alot and he has made a big difference with his ideas but it was too quick to give him something so big when there are alot more people who have been doing so much in a time span of years. Also, coming from Obama so far is just IDEAS and WAYS to change... he hasn't put any of it into action yet.
Although this is what I think, it doesn't necessarily mean he didn't deserve the award. He has worked very very hard and this will definately keep him going.
Though i am not up to date on politics a lot of the time, but i know for sure obama has not yet done anything to deserve a piece prize! but i think it is a definate possibility in the future for him to deserve it.
he needs to do work!
im an obama fan,he has made a few good decisions and has good plans as far as i know,
and i would agree the debator that debated for obama getting the nobel prize,that it would help greatly if obama had a nobel prize,as his thoughts would go through and none in america would say no to their president getting a nobel prize(unless a crazy john mccain fan,like my father) but if i were to say what i think of this,id say he would deserve it,but maybe not now,not yet,let him do something great and change the world first
when you think of it
its like giving the gold medal to an athelete even before the race gas started....
I also think that the nobel prize was given to President Obama a bit too early taking everybody by suprise. I thought that the nobel prize is given to people only after they have done significant changes or findings but President Obama has only said that he will do these things whereas he hasn't actually done all of them. So why give the prize before? It may be seen as a form of encouragement. However, I this was the wrong time to give it.
i knew this would sooner or later be on the blogsite, its a controversy all over the show!!!
my view on it.... Obama was awarded it too early! hehe nadine the lesser of the two evils?? great line!!! i agree i myself was wishing Obama would win and i really have nothing against him, as a matter of fact i actually feel that maybe he might make a difference his ideas and ways of thinking are impressive!! although i do feel such a prestigious award should have only been given once there was solid proof of achievement!!
When I heard about it I thought it was absurd! I'm totally for Obama but the simple fact is he hasn't done anything yet.
He has set some foundations and has some nice plans but none of these have been put into action and the older promises which he has tried to fullfill havent really worked out as planned. Such as closing Guantanamo... Its in the process but didnt the American public know that closing that place in a day just wasnt that possible?
I think at the moment the Nobel Prize Comitee has lost their reputation. Think about it, if I were to make a long list of ideas and plans to make the world a better place, would they give me a Nobel Peace Prize? I mean come on, thats all Obama's done up until now!
I agree with the fact that it's too early to give Obama such a big award but personally i'm a big fan of his. There is no doubt that his speeches are fantastic. The best thing is that he talks with a lot of conviction and believes in every word he says. This makes people like me believe that he will do what he says and hopefully the change will come. He is named as the "king of change" in America and hopefully he will live up to this title given.
As Nadine has said he's a symbol of hope,equality and even peace but making his words into action is very important. Then only will there be peace and thats when he should be awarded.
Well I thought at this point in time it was well known that there is probably a huge amount of staff that writes these long, inspiring speeches with surely Mr. Obama sitting by side not doing much...
But it takes one heck of a man to read those, and then fulfill what he has said to the letter. As of now he's only ticked one of those boxes... I would think that it would take both to be ticked to get a Nobel Peace Prize! So to completely summarize I think we all know that there must be someone else out there who deserves it more and deserves that Million+ $$$ to continue their fight for... Peace.
I was completely shocked when I saw this in the paper, I think its good that Obama is trying to make a change (emphasize on "trying"). But he hasnt really changed anything. So what I say is that, he should win it, but when he actually does something and not just make promises...
I still remember when i read the gulf news headlines *NOBEL PRIZE FOR WHAT?*
I had a good laugh wondering how people can already start trusting Obama so much. I really like that man but seriously what has he done till now? he speaks of bringing peace and optimism to this world, but has he yet? Has he fulfilled all his promises yet?
they are a million questions which would be asked by the common man.
I believe action speaks louder then words.Im still waiting for Mr.Barrack Obamas actions.
Well, dreams are what lead us to achieve them. So if Obama doesn't have a vision, how can he help in achieving the many dreams that everyone of us share? Like political peace. People might say that many others also had the same dreams, for example, Martin Luther King Jr., and Mahatma Gandhi, but comparatively, their world was a lot more peaceful than the world Obama lives in. And having these visions and moreover, struggling hard to achieve them, during the current situations and also at a world level, is something to be proud and honoured about.
well...well ...so many discussions and opinions on whether a honest and at present one of the few good men in politics to hit the world plitical arena ...so MR.OBABMA has not proved himself ...so what if he has been in office for eight months or less...and not done much...why do we have to wait for someone to do something powerful or decent to get them an award...
we r giving awards and trophys of different catagories in every field be it sport or music etc... and we accept so and so got it for a particular song ...etc and never mind if we dont even enjoy that song or movie or sport that much...
I think he deserves it for the simple reason that ...he inspires hope and peace in our future and present generation ...
He stands for the hope that if a black man can be a president of a big nation like america...that maybe he can do the next impossible thing tooo....
He might just be able to bring some peace to this chaos around the world...
Give the man a chance and who knows he will rise to the award..
Instead of questioning whether he deserves it or why not sit down and question what we have been doing for world peace lately??????
I disagree Sanjana, because while you believe he's honest, I think otherwise. Take for instance his stand towards the Sudanese Government concerning the genocide in Darfur. Obama had promised he'd take a far more firm approach towards the government and apply pressure so that Bashir is in fact put on trial and his militias as well. Yet two weeks ago, he decided that a new technique needs to be adopted. Can you guess which? Bush's. Which really did no one any good. People in Darfur are still dying. SO how has Obama helped or even attempted achieving so-called world peace?
I don't think one man can do it all, and I do think his responsibilities are beyond our imagination. He might be optimistic. But honest, I'm not so sure. Especially that secretary of State Clinton just praised the Israeli settlements after Obama had stated several times that these settlements need to seize. His actions are definitely not where his mouth was in January.
Post a Comment